Fire-extinguisher



Nil-.749.688, PATENTED JAN-12, 1904.

' G. U. HALE.

PIRE -EXTINGUISHERl APPLIOATIO riLED Nov. 6, 1902.

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UNITED STATES- GFORGE C. HALE, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF Patented January 12, 1904.

TO OSCAR'C. WIESNER, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

FIRE-EXTINGUISHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 749,688, dated January 12, 1904.

Application filed November 6, 1902.

To all whom, t may concern.'

Be it' known that I, GEORGE C. HALE, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Extinguishers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the'same.

My invention relates to improvements in fire-extinguishers which are automatically controlled.

The invention has for its object to automaticallycontrol the union of the chemicals for generating the fire-extinguishing fluid from a point remote to the generator.

Another object is the distribution of said fluid at only the location where it is needed.

My invention broadly consists of a generating-chamber combined with a Huid-pressure mechanism for regulating the mixing of the chemicals for generating the fire-extinguishing iuid.

It also consists of a distributing system, in combination with the above, which is provided with means for controlling the fluid-pressureactuated mechanism.

It further consists of means for normally closing the passage between said distributing system and the generating-chamber, which is adapted to be opened by the pressure of the fire-extinguishing iiuid generated by union of the chemicals within the generating-chamber.

rI`he invention also consists of the details of construction, arrangement, and combination of parts hereinafter described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, showing one way of embodying my invention in a practical device, and in which like reference characters indicate similar and corresponding parts, Figure l is an elevation of my improvement, showing, on a reduced scale, the distributing system. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section showing in dotted lines the position'of the acidreceptacle when it has emptied its contents. Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the line a' :n of

said plates by brazing.

semi No. 130,324. No model.)

Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view of` Vone of the'nozzles.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, l indicates a suitable generating-chamber, having a' preferably screw-threaded opening in its top l", to which is connected a chamber 2. From the top of said generatingchamber depends a bracket 3, to which is pivoted a dumping-receptacle 4, having a mouth or opening 4, which is designed to contain lthe acid which is to be combined with the alkali solution, preferably arranged in the generating-chamber. Said dumping-receptacle is so pivoted that without some means of holding it in an upright position it would swing down and empty any material which might be contained therein. To normally retain said receptacle in an upright position, a stopper 5 is adapted to enter the neck thereof, said stopper being secured to the end of a rod 6, having bearings in plates 7, arranged between the pressure-chamber and the generating-chamber. Of course other means for holding said receptacle in an upright position may be employed than that herein described and shown. These plates are preferably oppositely bulged and are perforated to provide for the free circulation of air when a diaphragm 8, preferably concentrically corrugated and brazed to the rod 6, is sprung to the opposite sides of the space between said plates. Said diaphragm is to shut off all passage between said generating-chamber and the pressurechamber and is preferably secured between The upper end of said rod is preferably provided with a head 9, un-

der which bear the ends of weighted levers 10, preferably fulcrumed on brackets I2, secured to the sides of said pressure-chamber. These levers are adapted to readily raise the rod so as to withdraw the stopper, and thus leave the dumping-receptacle free to swing down and empty its contents. In the top of said `pressure-chamber is a screw 13, suitably packedg-adapted to hold the rod in its lowered position, the purpose of which will be hereinafter described. Preferably screw-threaded to the saidV chamberis a cap 13u for inclosing delivering the fire-extinguishing fiuid at various points. Interposed between the delivery-pipe and the distributing system is a valve 16, consisting of a casing 16, having a perforated diaphragm 16h, upon the upper face of which rests a lid or cover 16c for said holes, preferably consisting of a thin sheet of lead securelyv fastened to the said casing.

Abovesaid lid is supported by a cross-bar 17 a knife 18, adapted to puncture said lid when it is raised. Said distributing system is also connected with the pressure-chamber by a pipe or coupling 20.

The operation of my device is as follows: In installing the fire-extinguisher an acid is preferably placed in the dumping-receptacle and an alkali in the generating-chamber, the former being preferably sulfuric acid and the latter bicarbonate of soda, the combination of which will generate a gas or fiuid which will sufl'ocate or extinguish fire. After the acid has been placed in said dumping-receptacle the stopper is inserted in the mouth thereof and held from being raised by the screw 13, which is adapted to-bear upon the head of the rod 6. A pressure is 4then created within the distributing system, which exerts its force on the diaphragm and resists the action of the weighted levers. The openings or nozzles 15b in said distributing system are then sealed, as at 21, by some metal fusible at a low temperature. A gage 22 is preferably provided at a suitable point for said pressure in order that it may be readily discerned whether there is any accidental leakage in the distributing system or the pressure-chamber. The action of said levers now being resisted by the pressure, the screw is raised a sufficient distance to permit the levers to raise the stopper from the acid-receptacle should the pressure be released in order that said receptacle might be free to swing down and empty its contents within the generating-chamber. Of course unless the pressure in said distributing system is shut off from the interior of said generating-chamber the pressure upon the diaphram would be neutralized and the desired purpose of said pres-v therein, after which said lid will break or tea-r, and thereby permit the free passage of the fire-extinguishing fluid through the distributing system.

When my system has been installed as hereinbefore described, a fire in the building will cause the melting of the metal seals in the nozzle at the point most approximate thereto, and thereby release the pressure, which will permit the levers to lift the stopper and release the receptacle, which will empty its contents upon the chemicals within the generating-chamber. The gas then created will force its way through the delivery-pipe, open the valve, pass out through the distributing system, and be delivered or discharged through the unsealed opening or nozzle into the fire.

It is obvious that my inventionprovides a device which is particulary adapted to be installed in places isolated from water-supplies and that itis particularly advantageous. for use in buildings, houses, and other structures. The system being automatic will be set in operation by a fire without the assistance of an operator, and, further, it will deliver the fireextinguishing fluid only at the point where it is needed.

While I have herein shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, yet I do not wish to limit myself` thereto, as itv is obvious that various changes may be made in the details of construction, arrangement, and combination of parts with out in any way'deviating or departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isy 1. In a fire extinguishing apparatus the combination of a generatingchamber and a fiuid-pressure-controlled mechanism for regulating the mixing of chemicals for producing the fire-extinguishing fluid comprising normally inoperative levers, a chemical-containing vessel, and a rod carrying a stopper for said vessel and adapted to be actuated by said levers kwhen the fiuid-pressure has been removed.

has been removed, and means in said system for regulating said fluid-pressure mechanism.

3. In a fireextinguishing apparatus the combination of a'generating-chamber, a fluidpressure mechanism for controlling the mixing of chemicals for generating the fire-extinguishing fluid, comprising normally inoperative levers, a chemical-containingvessel, and a rod carrying a stopper foi said vessel and IOO IIO

: anism controlled by atmospheric conditions.

, In a fire-extinguishing apparatus -the combination of a generating-chamber, a fluid-` ,"pressure-controlled mechanism for causing the mixing of chemicals for producing the irev io extinguishing iiuid, comprising normally inoperative levers, a .chemical-containing vessel, anda rod carrying avstopper tor said vessel andi adapted. tqgbeactuated by-said levers when thegfrlt "depressure has been removed, a

1 5L distributing' system communicating.witlisaid l huid-pressurefrnechanismand said generatingi chamber .means rior; normally shuttingioff awmmuncationbetween said distributing sys- `'tcm and saidgene'izating-chamber adapted to 2Q.: beopened by the sure of gases produced Within `the genera g chamber, and means -withiii the distributing-system for Vautomat- 1 allyycontrolling said `pressure mechanism.`

--lIn a fire-extinguishing apparatus the 2 5 combination of a generating-chamber, a pressure-chamber,means arraI-lgd between said chambers for controlling 4the mixing of the cliamicals within said generating-chamber, comprising normally inoperative-levers ar- 3o ranged in said pressure-chamber, achemicalcontaining vessel arranged in said generatingchamber, a rod carrying a stopper for said vessel and adapted to be actuated by said levers when the fluid-pressure has been removed,

3 5 and a distributing system provided with means i'or controlling the pressure within said pressure-chamber.

6. In a fire-extinguishing apparatus the combination of a generating-chamber, apres- 40 sure-chamber, means arranged between said pressure-chamber and said generating-chamber for controlling the generation of the fireextinguishing iuid, comprising perforated bulged plates fixed between said generating and pressure chambers, a diaphragm arranged between said plates, a chemicalcontaining vessel suspended in said generating-chamber, normally inoperative levers arranged in said pressure-chamber, and a rod carrying a stopper for said vessel and adapted to be actuated by said levers when said pressure has been removed, a distributing system communicating with said generating-chamber and said pressure-cliamber, means for normally shutting olf communication between said distributing system and said generating-chamber adapted to be opened by the pressure of gases produced within the generating-chamber, and means in said distributing system for automatically controlling the pressure within said pressure-chamber. i

7. In a iire extinguishing apparatus the combination of a generating-chamber, a pressu re-chamber, a diaphragm, perforated bulged plates arranged between said pressure-champressure in said Y pressure-chamber.

ber and said generating-chamber, said diaphragm being arranged between said plates,

means connected to said diaphragm for controlling the mixing of the chemicals tor generating the fire-extinguishing Huid, a distributing system connected to said pressurechamber, and means provided in said distributing systemi'or automatically controlling the 8. In-a href-extinguishing apparatus the fcombinatio'n of a generating-chamber, perfon rated bulged plates arranged between said chambers, a pressure-chamber, a diaphragm arranged between said plates, means connected to sai'dfdiaphragm for controlling the mixing. ofthechemicals for generating the lireextinguishing fluid, a distributing system communicating4 with said pressure-chamber vand said generating-chamber,- means for normally.` shutting4 ofiA communication between said generating-chamber and said distributing system, and means in said distributing system for releasing the pressure within'said pressurechamber. ,Y

`9. In. affire --extinguishingapparatus, the

sure-chamber, a diaphragm separating said chambers, a dumping-receptacle supported in said generating-chamber,'means operatively connected up with, and actuatedby, said dia- 10. In a lire-extinguishing apparatus, the

combination of a generating-chamber, a pressure chamber, a diaphragm separating said chambers, a dumping-receptacle supported in said generating-chamber, means operatively connected up with, and actuated by, said diaphragm and carrying a stopper or plug engaging the mouth or opening of said dumpingreceptacle and thus adapted to retain said receptacle in an upright position, raising and lowering means for said stopper or plug carrying means, means for retaining said plug-carrying and diaphragm means in its normally lowered position,and pressure-distributing means connected to said pressure-chamber, provided with means for automatically controlling the pressure within said pressure-chamber.

11. In a lire-extinguishing apparatus the combination of a generating-chamber, a pressure-chamber, perforated bulged plates arranged between-said chambers, a rod slidingly supported by said plates, a dumping-receptacle within said generating-chamber adapted to be held in an upright position by said rod when it is lowered, weighted levers within combination of a generating-chamber, a pres- IOO IIO

said pressure-chamber for lifting said rod and thereby releasing the dumping-receptacle, a diaphragm arranged between said plates for separating said generating-chamber and said pressure-chamber adapted to be sprung downwardly by a pressure within the pressurechamber and to be sprung upwardly by said weighted levers, and a distributing system connected to said pressure-chamber and provided with means for automatically controlling tlie pressure within saidV chamber.

12. In a fire-extinguishing apparatus the combination of a generating-chamber, a presported above said lid adapted to puncture the same when it is raised.

14. In a iire'- extinguishing apparatus the combination ofl a generating-chamber, a pressure-chamber, perforated plates separating said chambers, a rod slidingly supported by said plates adapted when lowered to retain a dumping-receptacle within said generatingchamber in an upright position, weighted le- Vers for lifting said rod, a diaphragm arranged between said plates and secured to said rod adapted to be sprung downwardly by pressure within the pressure-chamber and sprung upwardly by the weighted levers when said pressure is released, a distributing system connecting with said pressure-chamber and said generating-chamber, and a valve for shutting off communication between said generatingchamber and said distributing system adapted to be opened from pressure within the generating-chamber.

15. In a fire-extinguishing apparatus, the combination Tof a generating-chamber, a pressure-chamber, a diaphragm separating said chambers, a dumping-receptacle supported in said generating-chamber, a rod connected to, and actuated by, said diaphragm and carrying at its lower end a stopper or plug engaging they mouthor opening of said dumping-receptacle and;l retaining said receptacle in its normally lowered position, means for raising and lowering said rod, and a pressure-distributing system connectedA to said pressurechamber, provided with means forA automatically controlling the pressure within said pressure-chamber.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' v GEORGE C. HALE.

- Witnesses: l N. SHERRECK, C. T. KINNEL. 

